HOPE — The town of Hope reopened its town square Wednesday, after months of being closed to rejuvenate from a $437,500 refresh and renovation.
The park has been closed since July. Town council members had been hesitant to reopen the square after spring arrived because there were still patches where new grass was not developing as well as expected, Hope Utilities superintendent David Clouse said.
But during Tuesday’s monthly town council meeting, Clouse reported the grass has finally firmed up enough to handle minor foot traffic.
While walking through wet snow at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Town Marshal Matt Tallent took down the tape that has kept the town square off limits to the public, he said.
Improvements include the replacement of 43 streetlights with black posts and globes that utilize LED lights. Workers have also installed concrete pathways, as well as specially-designed park benches and receptacles. In addition, new roofs have been placed on both the shelterhouse and bandstand. Much of the new infrastructure now meets Americans With Disabilities standards.
On Oct. 21, 2020, the town held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of renovations. But since the park was immediately closed again after the ceremony to allow new grass to take root, the event became an avenue for the town to acknowledge the many contributors to the project.
In the downtown business area that surrounds the square, workers had upgraded sidewalks, as well as added historically accurate benches. There are also new trash receptacles that include inconspicuous ashtrays.
Spearheaded by the Main Street of Hope organization, renovations also include historical signage in the northeast Bartholomew County community of 2,200 residents.
One of the first big public events is tentatively planned on May 7, Tallent said. That will be the “First Friday Cruise-In,” featuring several unique cars and trucks while live music by the Night Owl Country Band is performed from 5 to 8 p.m.
